Booker Wines

Notes on the Upcoming Fall Releases

 

2016 WHITE  

White Blend

Similar in style to years past… but with a secret ingredient! This wine shows great acid to lifto the front end with peaches and honey,  a soft mid-palate density and a long stone fruit finish. It is ready now and drink better every year for the next 10 years. As I’ve tried to tell you, Booker’s white wine ages better than red!

 

2015 RIPPER 22

100% Grenache

The extended version of Ripper is softer and denser than its counterpart, and will need 6 months to start showing off beautiful color and extraction, with deeper red flavors than in the past. The early bottling shows more ripe strawberries and raspberries, whereas the extra time in barrel mellows those out and converts to stewed red fruits. The density is beautiful and the finish is more than a minute long.

 

2015 OUBLIE 22

38% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 9% Counoise

The extended-aged Oublie, pronounced O-blee-A, is a fruit driven wine that shows off the whole cluster spices from fermenting partially on the stems. This wine is true Chateauneuf Du Pape top cuvée boasting mostly Grenache but it is really the Mourvedre backbone that supplies the supple mid-palate and spiced finish. This wine will drink from delivery until 2025 beautifully.

 

2015 VERTIGO 22

48% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 17% Mourvedre

To me this was the belle of the ball. Led by powerful Syrah this blend shows off black fruits on the front palate, but if you pay attention you’ll spot some elegant red fruits from the Grenache throughout the middle, finishing with the power of Syrah and Mourvedre. It has just the right amount of whole clusters added to lend an allspice characteristic on the long, sinuous finish.

 

2015 JADA

60% Grenache, 40% Syrah

This was our first year with this fruit and we didn’t know what to expect. The Grenache heavy wine is very elegant and pretty, but in no way a light and simple wine. It is red fruits galore, mostly raspberries, but it also has a strong base from the little bit of Syrah that was was added. We believe this is a steal at this price but wanted to introduce it without beating you over the head!

 

2015 Fracture 22

100% Syrah

This version of the extended Fracture is ready to go out of the gate. While the first release is still a bit ripe and primary (tastes like a barrel sample), the extended is as if it has already aged a few years. There’s no question it is Fracture with notes of cassis, vanilla oak and all spice that take you seamlessly into a dense mid palate of black currant and lightly toasted espresso beans. The finish is seamless and long, as this wine is ready to pop upon receipt. It should be at the top of its game for 5 years, but will drink nicely for much longer.

2015 Vintage

 

I am pleased to announce the release of the 2015 vintage. These wines will compare to the 2010s and 2013s in style and texture, but with a few of the wines similar to the freshness of 2011. The theme for 2015 was round, soft, and seamless without rough edges. These wines will actually be ready to drink before the 14's, and while not near as tannic they are every bit as big. As always, quantities will be limited but if given the chance, be greedy so that you may pop some now and cellar a few for later. For the most part this vintage can be consumed immediately but should also age very gracefully.

2015 Fracture $85

100% Syrah

The most consistent wine year to year that Booker makes. I won’t waste your time with blah-blah. Buy the wine. The bonus this year is that it is ready to drink now, and will also age nicely.

 

2015 Vertigo $75

48% Syrah, 35% Grenache, 17% Mourvedre

Loaded with beautiful tannins and power, Vertigo has become a wine that we use about 30% whole cluster fermentation. Leaving grapes on the stems adds lots of spice and tannin and makes the wine completely different than a whole-berry wine like Fracture. With a heavy dose of Syrah and Mourvedre, this wine has mass and density but is made elegant and approachable by the Grenache. Drink now or age gracefully for 8-10 years.

 

2015 Oublie $75

38% Mourvedre, 30% Grenache, 23% Syrah, 9% Counoise

Our Chateauneuf du Pape blend, I compare this wine to a Clos des Papes style. It warms my heart that at Booker we have the ability to make wines like Fracture and My Favorite Neighbor and then turn around and make a beautiful, elegant, seamless Southern Rhone wine without a bunch of wood like Oublie. This wine is all ripe red fruits, but still has the density and backbone from the Mourvedre and a slight amount of Syrah. The 20% stem inclusion adds so much spice and character. Fans of California Pinot and Chateauneuf Du Pape should buy this in bulk!

 

2015 Ripper $85

100% Grenache

Another Southern Rhone wine, this 100% Grenache is a bowl full of strawberries and raspberries. No new wood, no stems, just pure, unadulterated Grenache that has historically been our flagship and one of the few true Grenaches at this level on the market. In 2014 I pushed the envelope by heating at high temps during fermentation and extracting lots of color and tannins. In 2015 I wanted to go back to my traditional style of making a wine that is approachable immediately as opposed to having you wait and cellar.

 

2015 Fulldraw $75

50% Grenache, 30% Mourvedre, 20% Syrah

This vintage of the GSM “Fulldraw" is much more balanced than in the past. Normally we try to push the limits of extraction, but in 2015 we had a heavier Grenache and Mourvedre crop since new blocks came online in the vineyard. After a stunning nose of violets and roses, it brings medium ripe red fruits and soft density and then moves to a long finish of black fruits that lasts over a minute.

 

2015 Tempranillo $85

100% Tempranillo

*only by allocation purchase*

This is a grown man (or woman) wine. This beast has been critically acclaimed as the best Temp we have ever made. The wine starts with notes of coffee and mocha, then rolls across the mid palate with silky soft tannins that take you to a finish that lasts until your next drink. While it will be yummy out of the gate, this wine will benefit from a year or two in your cellar.

2014 Fall Release Wines

2015 White

55% Roussanne, 26% Viognier, 10% Marsanne 9% Petit Manseng

Consistency is what I love about my white wine. The use of skin contact and blending of various varietals always gives it that golden color with a rounded, soft mid-palate. For those of you looking for a crisp acidic wine, you’re in the wrong place. This wine is big and opulent, and the 2015 could arguably be one of my favorite whites I have ever made. In the past, I have sometimes pushed the skin contact too far and allowed the finish to get a little over the top from the skin extraction. In 15 I believe I nailed the exact amount of time on the skins (which was just pure luck!) It starts with ripe tropical fruits and pears, then moves to a soft, round middle and a long, beautiful honeysuckle finish.

 

2014 Estate Ext

51% Tempranillo, 28% Syrah, 13% Petit Verdot, 8% Grenache

The 2014 version of the Estate Extended is one of our most accessible wines right out of the gate. The beautiful thing about this wine is that just when you think it's going to be too big with all of the Tempranillo, Syrah and Petit Verdot that small amount of Grenache comes in and turns it into an elegant wine. It starts off with black fruits and then transitions through the soft, supple mid-palate showing off an elegant red side. The finish is over a minute long. You can never go wrong with this wine!

 

2014 Vertigo Ext

68% Syrah, 28% Mourvedre, 6% Grenache

Along with the Fracture (released in the Spring), this is the most structured and tannic wine I have ever made. When I was writing my notes it wasn't until day five that this wine even showed me a few of his cards. Dominated by Syrah, it is an absolute beast that will take at least two years of cellaring before it starts to soften up. If you must open one within year one you will need to give it a heavy splash decant the day before you drink it. It has the ability to be a legendary wine, but will require patience.

 

2014 Tempranillo

100% Tempranillo

As massive and dark as this wine has ever been, this vintage truly screams all things dark with a double espresso shot with firm tannins yet surprising hints of red fruit on the finish. This beast will need at least a year to relax and become consumer friendly.

 

2014 Oublie

54% Grenache, 29% Mourvedre, 17% Counoise

Arguably the biggest and most concentrated Oublie ever, this wine reminds me of a Chateauneuf du Pape Vieilles Vignes from Marcoux or Janasse. Lots of ripe red fruit characteristics but a gorgeously proportioned mid-palate that you don't usually get from Grenache and Mourvedre. Feel free to crack this wine anytime.

 

2014 My Favorite Neighbor

43% Syrah, 35% Petit Verdot, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon

 Always one of our most popular wines, MFN was aged in French oak for 24 months and is as balanced as it has ever been before. In barrel the Cabernet and Syrah wanted to rear their head and show their ripeness, but the massive Petit Verdot would not allow them. This is reminiscent of one of (my favorite neighbor) Stephan Asseo's legendary Estate Cuvee wines. You will be rewarded for aging this wine 2 years, however I opened one a few weeks ago and was pleasantly surprised at how ready it seemed right off the bottling line!

 

2014 Fulldraw Ext

46% Syrah, 33% Grenache, 21% Mourvedre

This GSM from my Assistant Winemaker’s property immediately attached to Booker is usually a bigger wine showing a bit more black than red fruits, and the extended version does not disappoint. Yes, it has the big tannins we got from 14, but it is softer and more accessible now than most of the other wines. That said, with a large percentage of whole cluster fruit you will be better off waiting a couple of years on this one. Crack one in first 6 months and decide for yourself!

 

 

 

NDTech Corks!

We are excited to announce that Booker wines are now bottled with natural corks that are guaranteed to have non-detectable TCA! You can read more about the process and our cork supplier, Amorim, by clicking HERE.

 

2014 Spring Release Wines

2014 Booker Estate 

(51% Tempranillo, 28% Syrah, 13% Petit Verdot, 8% Grenache) 

The Estate is a glorious dense and purple color with fantastic character showing off both red and black berries as well as a big mid-palate. Estate has become our version of  the great wines of the Northern Rhone. When I make Estate I'm always looking for barrels that are old world rustic and have dark notes of coffee, tobacco and leather. This wine is also meant to be dense, chewy and tannic. You may now be saying to yourself, "there's no Tempranillo in Northern Rhone" and that would be a correct statement. The wine seemed to be missing something while blending though, so I started blending in the Temp barrels and voila! They just made the wine better. Because of it’s big tannins and structure this wine will need to be cellared for about 6 months. Crack the first bottle this fall or watch for my drinking window notes.

 

2014 Fracture 

(100% Syrah)

Fracture is always a tough one, I'm trying to make a world-class Syrah that can compete with any in the world, though it is daunting to think of it that way. Each year the battle with this wine is to keep it elegant enough to enjoy with or without food without losing sight of it’s density or texture. The 2014s were both acid driven and textural and has the opportunity to be as good as the 2013 but age even better. It won't be as debaucheries as in year one but I believe it will arguably surpass it in year two. Big, rich and covered in all spice, this vintage walks a tight line between mass and finesse which is consistently Fracture!

 

2014 Ripper 

(100% Grenache)

With the Ripper, my goal is to emulate the Southern Rhone's Chateauneuf du Pape.  Unlike most wineries in California, this wine is 100% Grenache with no added Syrah for color. Ripper is true to its variety showing red fruits like strawberries, raspberries as well as hints of bubble gum and cherry cola. I do not want to overwhelm this Grenache with wood, therefore the majority was aged in concrete and the rest in large-format used barrels. I believe 2014 was a great year for Grenache and this Ripper will go down as one of Booker's finest. 

 

2014 Vertigo 

(68% Syrah, 26%  Mourvedre, 6% Grenache)

Vertigo is Booker's version of a GSM, similar to the Fulldraw, but slightly more power driven than finesseful. I cracked a bottle before writing so I could really sink into it and this is what I got...blueberries and black fruits followed up by a long soft, pillow-like mid palate that leads into a lingering finish of beautifully ripe grapes.  When choosing barrels to go into Vertigo, I look for ample stem inclusion in the Mourvedre and Grenache as well as a perfectly ripe Syrah. This GSM is usually ready to drink fairly quickly, but will soften a bit within a year.

 

2014 Fulldraw

(46% Syrah, 33% Grenache, 21% Mourvedre) 

Fulldraw Vineyard is immediately next door to Booker Vineyard. It's owned and farmed by my Assistant Winemaker Connor McMahon and, for all intensive purposes, the two vineyards are completely interchangeable. I was fortunate to plant the largest phase of this property with Connor and believe that his vineyard will become one California's top producers.  This vineyard designate wine will always be made up of several grape varietals in order to showcase the different terroir of this gorgeous property. The 2014 was a classic GSM (Syrah,Grenache,Mourvedre.) I always let Connor take the lead on this wine and tell me how he would like to be represented. Stems are added for spice and structure and we always strive for a textural mid palate. While the first Fulldraw vintage in 2013 was a homer out of the gates, I believe the 2014 is superior to its predecessor.  Production for this vintage was minimal so don't miss out! 

 

2014 RLF 

(100% Pinot Noir)

Don’t be confused, yes Booker made a Pinot Noir. As many of you know RLF is our second label and was created in honor of my late father-in-law. My goal has always been to make a high quality wine at a friendly price.  In 2014 the best fruit available was from Santa Rita Hills, Edna Valley and one of the most beautiful Pinot Vineyards in the world in San Simeon.  This wine is definitely made to California style, and I think it will compare favorably with wines in the upper price range from Santa Lucia Highlands. The fruit comes from two different vineyards on the coast. One of which literally overlooks the water, and the other in Arroyo Grande about five minutes from the water. The alcohol is low, but the flavors are not. I'm not gonna lie, I was a bit nervous, being a Rhone guy and making a Pinot. Like any great wine, it always comes down to sourcing the best fruit and not screwing it up. Nearly half of this vintage was made in concrete, with the rest in new French Oak. At $45 if you don't like it I'll keep it!

 

Sweet

(100% Petit Manseng)

I know I have only made two, but this was exactly what I was trying to accomplish when I set out to make a sweet wine. I’m just going come out and say it. It is superior to the last Sweet bottled in every way. I am so confident about this sweet wine that I would buy back any unopened bottles! The sad part is that because we would one gather one barrel each year from this block my hand was forced to graft it to another varietal.  Therefore, this collector’s item will also be the last. Please send me your feedback after trying. I want to make sure I’m not alone in this world!

Recent Wines

Recent wines that I have tried that are still babies and showing way too ripe are the 2011 Vertigo, 2013 Vertigo 24 month, 2013 Fracture 24 month and 2013 My Favorite Neighbor. If you must drink these wines now, I recommend opening the night before and giving it a good splash and decant! Enjoy!

Some Drinking Windows

I have been sampling through the past few vintages so that I can keep everyone updated on drinking windows.

The 2010s for the most part are in a perfect window, and while I’m not sure they are peaking, I do believe the are in a sweet spot that might not get any better!

The 2011s are starting to get very good.  I told everyone on release that this would be the first Booker vintage that took time to mellow out.  At Christmas we opened a Ripper Magnum and it was arguably the best Ripper I have ever made.  These wines can be consumed now, but they can also be held without any issues.

The 2012s oddly enough seem to be peaking now.  I know they are only in year four, but they do not have the big acid and structure that 2011 had.  I would begin consuming these now and hold onto the 2011s if  you are deciding between vintages.  Remember, some vintages give us big acid and structure, but that usually means the wines will need more time before they are ready to consume.  Vintages that do not show that are generally better early on, but do not have the best aging ability. 

The 2013 Fall Release

Happy Fall and welcome to the release of our 2013 extended-aged wines! Hopefully you enjoyed the first round of 13s this Spring.  If you did, I’m sure that you’ll flip for these! For the critics, and for me personally, these were the best wines we have ever made.  It was just one of those vintages where everything came together perfectly. 

THE WINES

2013 Fracture 24- Seamless.

2013 My Favorite Neighbor- The freshest, most vibrant MFN ever made has tannins that are soft and supple and the fruit is extremely lush and ripe.  Black fruits with beautifully integrated French Oak stay on your palate and linger for over a minute.  Best to open in one year… but why wait!

2013 Vertigo 24- Even more lush and ripe than the early one, and could be as good if not better! This one definitely needs a year to relax before we can decide who the champ was! A classic GSM leaning toward a heavier grenache flavor. 

2013 Oublie 24- Wow! If vintners in Chateaneuf du Pape could only taste this one! Every year this wine continues to get better and better.  Always Grenache, Mourvedre, and Counoise, the extended version shows beautiful red fruit but still boasts a massive mid-palate.  Ready to drink now or age for five years for that sweet spot. 

2013 Booker Estate- Fashioned after the old Alchemist, this wine was meant to be massive but also extremely rustic using very little oak.  Notes of stewed black cherries are overwhelming.  A “must-have” in your cellar, and definitely presents a unique identity compared to the rest of the line-up. 

2014 White- This White is the cleanest and most focused we’ve ever made.  Instead of huge gold color, oxidation and zero visibility through the wine, the 2014 is much more refreshing and crisp while maintaining texture and density! We finally filtered this wine so customers didn’t have to ask why it was so cloudy!

Library Wines

I had the chance to open a few library wines last week and was excited to see that they were drinking so well! The 2005 and 2010 vintages of White are exactly where they should be, right in a sweet spot! If you still have any in your cellar, open them now! They were absolutely brilliant.  We also popped a 2006 My Favorite Neighbor, opened it and decanted it a full day early.  It drank beautifully for three days! 

2013 Spring Release

Since my first release with the 2005 vintage, I have never been this excited to be releasing what I feel are the best wines to come out of Booker.  I believe this vintage is our Holy Grail. Unfortunately for all of us in the Central Coast, the drought is really starting to affect us here in Paso Robles, especially at Booker. The 2013 vintage was very light, and the 2014 was borderline devastating, with our harvest down more than 40%. Bad for us, but great quality for you. Open-ordering at the end may be limited, but if you have the opportunity to be greedy...this is the vintage to do it in!

It was a hot year, and even with the shade cloth in the vineyard the wines became very intense with a soft, luscious mid-palate. Across the board there are no dogs. I am especially excited about the variation from the elegant, Chateauneuf-style of Ripper and Oublie to the massive Fracture, Vertigo and the all new Fulldraw. No need to over-hype Fracture and Vertigo, they're stunning. The new wine Fulldraw is from my Assistant Winemaker Connor McMahon's vineyard adjoining Booker. This GSM blew critics away with it's young vine ripeness and massive density. Also returning, and making it's first appearance since 2010, is the Tempranillo! As most of you know, I only make this in spectacular years.

On a different note, after 8 vintages I felt it was time to spruce up our labels, hope you like them!  Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram if you want an early peek at them!